Purification and properties of L-xylulokinase.

Previously evidence was presented for the existence of a new enzyme, L-xylulokinase, which is instrumental in the degradation of L-xylulose by Aerobacter aerogenes (1). This enzyme is of interest because it initiates a pathway for the metabolism of L-xylulose which is different from that known to occur in mammals (2). This paper describes the purification and properties of Lxylulokinase from L-xylose-grown A. aerogenes, and establishes the reaction product as L-xylulose 5-phosphate. A preliminary account of this work has appeared (3).